Ionosphere Research Intern

Undergraduate Summer 2026 Internship, Ionosphere Research at Scripps Institution of Oceanography 

PI- Jennifer Haase - Professor, Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics.                   Research Area: Atmospheric Science, Geophysics 

Our lab participates in atmospheric research using unique instrumentation deployed on the stratospheric balloons, ships, and aircraft. Learn about the ionosphere and the novel methods being developed for measuring, and how to contribute to a field research program in this internship opportunity. 

The student will work with team members to develop data collection and analysis skills, contribute to the goals of the space weather program, and develop their own research project to analyze and interpret the data. 

More information about the research can be found here: https://jhaase.scrippsprofiles.ucsd.edu/ 

A spot has opened up within the JT-SURF program through University of California San Diego for an additional student interested in studying the ionosphere. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to take full advantage of the program, including workshops, seminars, and presenting their research results at the student research symposium.

More information about the program can be found here:

https://scripps.ucsd.edu/undergrad/surf 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

Participation is limited to current undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Students who will graduate before the start of summer 2026 are not eligible. 

Applicants of any race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, dis/ability or veteran status are welcome. 

Participant must be available for the entire duration of the anticipated program dates, June 15, 2026 through August 21, 2026, and must be available and willing to participate full time (approximately 40 hours/week) in the program. The intern will typically spend eight hours a day, Monday - Friday, engaged in their faculty-led research projects. 

APLICATION REQUIREMENTS 

Please send in a CV, transcripts, and a cover letter expressing research interests and goals, as well as any relevant experience to ionosphere or remote data sensing research.  

CONTACT INFORMATION 

Email: Isabella McDonnell imcdonnell@ucsd.edu, cc: Jennifer Haase jhaase@ucsd.edu 

APLICATION DEADLINE  

May 14th, 2026 

PARTICPANT STIPEND 

There is no cost to participate in the program. Participants receive a $800/week stipend ($8,000 for the 10-week program), on-campus housing or housing allowance, and travel. 

SCHEDULE
JT-SURF fellows will typically spend eight hours a day, Monday - Friday, engaged in their faculty-led research projects. In addition to research training, the JT-SURF program provides mentoring and workshops to prepare participants for success in pursuing careers and graduate school in earth and ocean sciences. Fellows also attend weekly research seminars, career panels, and give a formal presentation of their results at the JT-SURF Research Symposium at the end of the program.  The JT-SURF program also includes local field trips and social events.

HOUSING
Housing is provided for all onsite fellowship recipients in shared apartments on the UC San Diego campus. The apartments are furnished and equipped with a kitchen, outdoor patio, dining room, living room and double bedrooms. It is highly recommended that Summer Fellows live in the provided housing in order to more fully appreciate their Summer Fellowship experience. In some circumstances, a housing allowance can be provided in lieu of on-campus housing. While on campus, students can also take advantage of UC San Diego facilities, such as dining halls, libraries, swimming pools and other recreational amenities.  

MEALS
Meals are not included in the JT-SURF program. All on-campus apartments are equipped with kitchens. The UC San Diego campus operates multiple dining halls and restaurants that are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and several small markets on campus where students can shop for staples. There are also several breakfast/lunch and coffee facilities located at Scripps. Full-service grocery stores are located in a large shopping center less than 0.5 miles away from the on-campus housing.

TRANSPORTATION
Round trip travel to and from San Diego is provided by the program. JT-SURF fellows will work in research labs and facilities at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which is located about 1 mile from the UC San Diego campus. Courtesy shuttles between main campus and Scripps run every 30 minutes from 6:30 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays. Students can also easily walk or bike between the UC San Diego campus and Scripps. Beautiful La Jolla beaches, full-service grocery stores, restaurants, and movie theaters are located within an easy walk or a bus ride from the main UC San Diego campus. Students will find it convenient, but not necessary, to have access to a car to enjoy the San Diego region in the evenings and on the weekends.

LA JOLLA AND SAN DIEGO
La Jolla is a beautiful seaside community along 7 miles of curving coastline in Southern California. Surrounded on three sides by ocean bluffs and beaches, La Jolla is located within the northern city limits of San Diego, and is 12 miles north of downtown San Diego. With a mild climate (an average daily temperature of 70 degrees) and access to public beaches, parks and the ocean, La Jolla and the greater San Diego region provide myriad opportunities for outdoor recreation, cultural pursuits, dining, and shopping.